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KFI’s ‘John and Ken’ show loses advertisers as Latinos protest

Verizon and AT&T Wireless have pulled their advertising off KFI's "John and Ken" show in response to a campaign by several Latino groups to drive the controversial radio talk hosts off the air.

Vons and Ralphs, which have advertised on the show in the past, have agreed to not advertise in the future, the Burbank Leader reported.

The National Hispanic Media Coalition made the announcement during a demonstration Thursday in front of KFI's offices in Burbank.

The campaign to fire John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou began after the duo read the phone number of Jorge-Mario Cabrera, a local immigration rights advocate, on the air. Within minutes, Cabrera, a staff member with the Coalition of Humane Immigration Rights of L.A., reportedly received hundreds of hate-filled calls.

The National Hispanic Media Coalition has written confirmation from the companies, according to Rosalia Tenorio, spokeswoman for the coalition, which was the lead player in organizing the demonstration.

About 35 protesters walked in front of the KFI building on Olive Street, chanting phrases such as "KFI drop the hate" and "John and Ken must go." Written transcripts of some of the messages left for Cabrera were also read aloud.

"We stand by responsible journalism," Maria Rodriguez, spokeswoman for the coalition where Cabrera works, said. "We stand by journalism that creates dialogue, not confusion and hate."

In a statement, KFI defended the "John and Ken" show hosts.

"Expressing your opinion is not a firing offense," KFI officials said in a written statement. "KFI stands behind John and Ken and their right to speak their minds — opinions shared, incidentally, by over a million California listeners each week and protected by the 1st Amendment."

But when Kobylt and Chiampou stand behind the 1st Amendment to incite hate against Latinos, they are abusing those rights, said David Rodriguez, spokesman for the League of United Latin American Citizens.

"It's one thing to run out and express your free speech, but it's quite another to turn around and demonize a community and victimize a community of hard-working immigrant folks, who all they want to do is make a living and be part of this society," he said.

After Cabrera's phone number was aired, KFI officials agreed to meet with coalition members, but then canceled, organizers said.

Greg Ashlock, market president of KFI's parent company Clear Channel Radio-Los Angeles, said he canceled the meeting when it became clear the organizers wouldn't settle for anything less than firing the radio hosts.

KFI officials said they have met with other Latino groups during the past several days "to have an open, fruitful discussion about any concerns they may have," the station said.

Nogales, meanwhile, predicted more advertisers would follow in the steps of AT&T Wireless and the other three companies and pull advertising from the "John and Ken" show soon.